Counting Down

With Pedro moving to 2-0, our magic number drops to 15, personified by Carlos Beltran (here receiving the hand slap of magic-number destiny from the embodiment of 16, Paul Lo Duca). Beltran’s had a rough first year, a glorious second year, and a third year that’s been a lesson in gritting it out until you wind up somewhere good. Which, we hope, will also be the lesson of 2007 for Met fans. We also hope Carlos will pass the baton of magic numberness shortly — and we’ve got a pretty good idea which big hands will carry it next. (Photo from USA Today.)

THE NUMBERS SHIRT IS BACK!

It’s back! The famous Faith and Fear in Flushing Mets retired-numbers shirt, worn proudly from the Verrazano to Venice, has been updated to include Mike Piazza’s No. 31, the revised order atop Citi Field, and a more accurate font!